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IRIS launches practice management platform as firms battle 105-day billing gaps and rising write-offs

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IRIS Firm Management unifies time recording, WIP, billing and financial reporting in a single platform, giving mid-to-large practices the real-time insight to grow more profitably

LONDON, May 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — IRIS Software Group (IRIS), a leading global provider of accountancy, HR, payroll, and education software, today announced the launch of IRIS Firm Management (IFM), a next-generation practice management platform purpose-built for mid-to-large UK accounting firms.

With an average gap of 105 days between completing work and receiving payment*, practice profitability is under serious pressure – in a survey of 140 UK accountancy firms, 37% identified time tracking as a key challenge, with only 33% tracking utilisation, and 76% only using basic, manual, or no WIP tracking at all**. This is compounded by the growing regulatory burden brought by changes such as Making Tax Digital to evolving companies house requirements.

IFM brings together practice management, time and billing, WIP management, and financial reporting into a single integrated solution. It gives practice leaders real-time visibility into utilisation, capacity, scope creep and margin erosion, with workflows designed to reduce admin burden, enabling senior team members to focus on high-value work. Firms using IFM have reported up to 25% reduction in write-offs and two to four hours per person per week reclaimed from billing admin.

Modern Firm Management

Most practice management tools were built for compliance, not commercial performance. IFM bridges that gap, acting as a financial control layer on top of compliance software.

Jonathan Priestley, General Manager, Global Accountancy Solutions and Transformation, said, “Accountancy practices are at an inflection point and the firms that will grow are those that can turn their operational data into commercial decisions. IFM is a demonstration of our long-term commitment to UK accountants – we’ve listened, we understand the pressures they face, and we’ve built a solution that will scale alongside them as they grow. The accounting profession underpins businesses right across the UK economy, and these firms deserve technology that matches the vital role they play.”

Support for diverse firms with complex needs

IFM is available in two configurations: IFM Core designed for firms needing foundational visibility with rapid deployment, with the system live within two to three weeks, and IFM Advanced for firms with multi-office, multi-entity or governance complexity. Importantly, both configurations have the ability to scale as firms grow, removing the need to re-platform as headcount, client volumes or structural complexity increases, while protecting margins throughout.

Key benefits of IFM***:

Real time insights to support accurate, data-driven decision making with enhanced tracking, reporting, and resource allocation – with an estimated five per cent or more time leakage recovery.Automation reclaiming between two to four hours per person per week for higher value work by reducing admin work on billing, reporting and spreadsheet validation.Boosted profitability by reducing write-offs by 15 to 25 per cent through early visibility into scope creep and margin erosion before it is too late.

Top 50 firm Larking Gowen has chosen IFM as its practice management platform, with plans to migrate from its current system following an evaluation of leading cloud solutions on the market. Richard White, Chief Information Officer at Larking Gowen, said, “We needed confidence in three things: Robust data migration from our existing system, extensive APIs to power our Power Platform apps and reports and connect the growing ecosystem of cloud applications across the firm, and the reassurance of a platform built specifically for accounting practices. IFM delivered on all three.”

Long-standing IRIS customer Morgan Griffiths LLP has chosen to migrate to IFM after using IRIS’ desktop solutions to manage tax, accounts, practice management, time recording, and job tracking. IFM has been transformational for the firm’s operational efficiency, giving them more reliability and control over essential functions. Manager Andrew Hunt said: “Billing can be such a time suck, which you don’t want it to be because that eventually comes away from your profit. These things should be super simple to do, and we’ve definitely achieved that now. That’s the biggest success of IFM for us so far.”

Beyond day-to-day efficiency, IFM has created stronger foundations for Morgan Griffiths LLP to evolve. Accelerated digitalisation and improved accessibility of real-time data has enabled partners to recognise opportunities for strategic growth. Andrew said: “I think that MTD presents an enormous opportunity for us, particularly in getting clients in a much better place where they’re getting closer to real-time information of how their business is going.”

IFM Core and IFM Advanced are now available – find out more here.

*Natwest Accountancy Benchmarking Report 2024.
**These figures are from the IRIS Discovery Tool Questionnaire taken by 140 UK accountancy firms who are IRIS customers.
***These figures are based on an ROI calculator that assesses adjustable assumptions, using a combination of industry benchmarks and early adopter feedback.

About IRIS Software Group 

IRIS Software Group is a global provider of mission critical software and one of the UK’s largest privately held software companies. IRIS provides software solutions and services for finance, HR and payroll teams, educational organisations, and accountancy firms that takes the pain out of processes and lets professionals focus on the work they love. Through simplifying, automating and providing insights on everyday mission critical tasks for organisations of all shapes and sizes, IRIS ensures customers can look forward with certainty and confidence. 
 
IRIS is the largest third-party online filer with the UK Government. Ninety-three of the top 100 UK accountancy firms use IRIS software. One in six of the UK’s workforce is paid by IRIS payroll offerings, and globally, six million employees receive their payslip via IRIS software every month. More than 850,000 UK employees are managed by IRIS HR solutions. Over 12,000 UK schools and academies use IRIS, with four million parents and guardians using IRIS apps to connect with their children’s school; 300 million messages are delivered between schools and parents each year, and over £15 million transactional payments are processed every month. IRIS is certified as a Great Place to Work® and recognised as one of The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality in 2023. IRIS is also recognised as one of the Best Workplaces for Wellbeing, one of the Best Workplaces in Tech and one of the Best Workplaces for Women. 
 
To see how IRIS helps organisations get things right first time, every time, visit www.iris.co.uk or follow IRIS Software Group on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.  

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LendingTree Launches ChatGPT Plug-In to Reimagine How Consumers Shop for a Mortgage

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CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LendingTree, Inc. (NASDAQ: TREE), operator of LendingTree.com, the nation’s leading online financial services marketplace, today announces their ChatGPT plug-in, enabling consumers to explore current mortgage and refinance rates through a natural conversation in ChatGPT, bringing the first step of mortgage shopping into one of the world’s fastest-growing AI experiences.

Consumers can share details like estimated credit score, state, and loan amount while conversing with the plug-in to instantly see how those factors can affect available rates. When they’re ready, they can seamlessly continue to LendingTree.com to compare personalized offers from LendingTree’s network of lenders.

Comparing mortgage offers is one of the most effective ways consumers can save money when buying a home. A recent LendingTree analysis found that borrowers who shop around could save an average of $62,572 over the life of a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. The LendingTree ChatGPT app helps consumers take that important first step.

“Consumers are changing how they research financial decisions, and we’re meeting them where they are,” said Scott Peyree, Chief Executive Officer at LendingTree. “Our ChatGPT plug-in brings the power of LendingTree’s mortgage marketplace into a conversational experience, making it easier to explore rates and understand the impact of key borrowing factors before applying for a loan. By making it easier to compare options from the very beginning of the homebuying journey, we’re helping consumers make more confident borrowing decisions.”

To access the LendingTree ChatGPT plug-in, consumers can visit LendingTree’s page in the plug-in directory and click “Install”. Once installed, users can ask about current mortgage and refinance rates directly within ChatGPT and before continuing to LendingTree.com for personalized offers.

Disclaimer

The app does not provide lender-specific quotes, approvals, pre-qualification, financial advice, or any promise of a specific rate within ChatGPT or on LendingTree’s site. LendingTree is responsible only for the LendingTree content and functionality within the LendingTree app experience and is not responsible for ChatGPT-generated responses or any content or functionality outside of the LendingTree app experience.

Consumers should consult with qualified financial, tax, legal, and/or mortgage professionals to determine which loan product, if any, is appropriate for their individual circumstances.

About LendingTree, Inc.

LendingTree, Inc. is the parent of LendingTree, LLC and several companies owned by LendingTree, LLC (collectively, “LendingTree” or the “Company”).

LendingTree (NASDAQ: TREE) is one of the nation’s largest, most experienced online financial platforms, created to give consumers the power to win financially. LendingTree provides customers with access to the best offers on loans, credit cards, insurance and more through its network of over 430 financial partners. Since its founding, LendingTree has helped millions of customers obtain financing, save money, and improve their financial and credit health in their personal journeys. With a portfolio of innovative products and tools and personalized financial recommendations, LendingTree helps customers achieve everyday financial wins.

LendingTree, Inc. is headquartered in Charlotte, NC. For more information, please visit www.lendingtree.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:
press@lendingtree.com

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SOURCE LendingTree, Inc.

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New Report Quantifies Multimillion-Dollar Economic and Innovation Impact of Fiber Broadband in New Mexico

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Comprehensive study reveals surging internet speeds, $77 million in added home values, job creation & the rise of the nation’s first open-access quantum network

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Aug. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Ezee Fiber has released a comprehensive economic study, “Expanding Opportunities in the Land of Enchantment with Glass: New Mexico and Fiber.” The report integrates national economic frameworks with local insights to showcase how the rapid expansion of fiber-optic infrastructure is reshaping New Mexico’s economy, housing markets, public safety systems, and technology ecosystems.

“This independent report demonstrates that our multi-million-dollar investment in New Mexico is a direct investment in the long-term prosperity of New Mexico,” said Carlos Rosas, SVP and General Manager for Ezee Fiber. “We are building the foundational infrastructure that drives local job growth, boosts real estate values, and fosters local tech innovation. Beyond the infrastructure we are bringing to New Mexico, we are deeply committed to being a trusted community partner, hiring locally, and delivering the world-class, multi-gigabit connectivity that New Mexicans deserve to live, work, and thrive.” 

The report shows that New Mexico has made significant strides in closing the digital divide. When the New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) was established in 2022, only 72% of the state had high-speed internet access. By early 2026, that number surged to 90% (connecting approximately 770,000 locations), with state projections targeting 94% by the end of 2026 on a trajectory toward 100% universal coverage.

Key Findings from the Report:

Fast Internet Speeds: Widespread commercial deployments have dramatically accelerated regional performance. Between 2022 and 2025, median download speeds more than doubled in Albuquerque (from 142 Mbps to over 285 Mbps) and in Santa Fe (from 100 Mbps to over 225 Mbps).A Multimillion-Dollar “Fiber Premium” for Homeowners: The presence of high-speed fiber added an aggregate $51.2 million in housing value to sold single-family homes in Albuquerque and $25.9 million in Santa Fe between 2020 and 2025. Projecting forward, expanding fiber to 90% coverage by 2029 could unlock up to $243 million and $105 million in added real estate value for those cities, respectively.Measurable Job Growth: Fiber infrastructure accounted for an estimated 528 jobs gained in Albuquerque and 133 jobs in Santa Fe between 2021 and 2024. Reaching 90% population deployment by 2029 is projected to generate 3,679 new jobs in Albuquerque and 615 in Santa Fe.Fueling Digital Microbusinesses: According to GoDaddy venture data, digital microbusinesses (fewer than 10 employees) in both cities have dramatically increased their health and activity index, outperforming regional peer cities and directly boosting median household incomes.Pioneering the Quantum Frontier: Utilizing commercial fiber networks, ABQ-Net went live in early 2026 in Albuquerque as the United States’ very first open-access, entanglement-based quantum network facility. It serves as a global testing ground for startups and researchers to validate next-generation cybersecurity and defense applications.Smart Cities and Public Safety: Albuquerque is actively leveraging fiber to power edge AI systems, smart lighting, and sound detection for immediate police dispatch. Furthermore, thermal detection sensors connected via fiber along the Paseo del Bosque multi-use trail successfully identified three active outdoor fires within months of deployment, providing instant alerts to first responders.

“If we are serious about growing our economy, we must invest in fiber. It powers telehealth, expands access to education, and opens the door to good jobs, especially in the communities that need it most,” noted Alison Riley, Vice President of Government Relations & Policy for the New Mexico Chamber of Commerce.

“Reliable internet access impacts workforce development, entrepreneurship, education, health, quality of life; it checks all those things,” added Bridget Dixson, President and CEO of the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce. “It’s one of the things that’s probably the most important, not just to Santa Fe, but to our entire state.”

Beyond local municipal benefits, the report highlights fiber as the foundational baseline for New Mexico’s powerhouse federal and private industries, including Intel’s advanced $17 billion semiconductor packaging footprint in Rio Rancho, Rocket Lab’s aerospace solar array plant in Albuquerque, Meta’s $3.3 billion Los Lunas data center complex, and PNM’s evolving renewable smart grid technology.

To view the full published report and examine the comprehensive metrics, go to ezeefiber.com/newsroom. 

About Ezee Fiber:

Ezee Fiber is a rapidly growing fiber internet company delivering premium multi-gig service to residential, business, and government customers over a 100% fiber-optic network—at exceptional value. The company’s carrier-grade infrastructure spans Texas, New Mexico, Illinois, Oregon, Michigan and Washington, supported by local teams who live and work in the communities they serve. Ezee Fiber’s industry-leading speeds, award-winning customer service, and transparent pricing model set the company apart. Learn more at www.ezeefiber.com.

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SOURCE Ezee Fiber

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Therap Services Upgrades Attendance Module for Streamlined Daily Documentation and Mobile Access

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TORRINGTON, Conn., Aug. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Therap Services, the national leader in HIPAA-compliant electronic documentation solutions for organizations in Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS), Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), has made key enhancements to its Attendance module. Attendance tracking is now available on the Therap Mobile Application for Apple and Android devices, empowering support teams to manage care data efficiently from anywhere alongside web grid upgrades.

Faster Workflows and Enhanced Care Mobility

Managing billable service time shouldn’t pull care providers away from supporting individuals. Therap’s upgraded Attendance grid and mobile integration remove administrative hurdles by making attendance tracking faster, more intuitive, and fully accessible on iOS and Android devices. Staff can now seamlessly record daily or time-based services, track billable units, and generate claims with greater accuracy and less manual effort.

Key Enhancements and New Features   

Mobile Attendance Functionality: Staff with appropriate roles can now log, update, or delete attendance directly from their mobile devices using convenient bulk-entry features and time trackers.Streamlined Desktop Grid: Features an updated, color-coded interface, simplified date navigation, and integrated service dropdowns that reduce clicks and keep information clear at a glance.Dedicated ‘Incomplete’ Tracking: A distinct tab makes it easier for staff to review, update, and clear pending entries before submitting billing data.Instant Individual Insights: A single click on an individual’s name opens essential service authorization details, Medicaid numbers, and remaining unit balances without navigating away.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do Therap’s Attendance updates benefit providers? The new updates reduce administrative workload, lower data entry errors, and give staff the flexibility to log service hours immediately on mobile devices.Which user roles can enter or edit attendance data on the Therap Mobile Application? Authorized staff assigned with specific Attendance caseload roles can input, update, or delete data based on agency permissions.How do users access report exports and forms in Therap’s Attendance grid? Grid PDFs and reports are now in a quick-access Reports dropdown menu at the top of the Attendance screen.

To learn more about Therap’s Attendance solutions, visit:

Therap Services Attendance Management

About Therap Services

Therap’s comprehensive and HIPAA-compliant software is used in human services settings for documentation, communication, reporting, EVV, and billing.

Learn more at:
https://www.therapservices.net/

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SOURCE Therap Services

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